Pax Christi preparing for Peace Sunday 19 January 2014

Parishes around the country will celebrate Peace Sunday on 19 January, the day when the Catholic Church in England and Wales reflects on the Pope's World Peace Day Message.

Since 1968 Pax Christi has provided liturgy and reflection materials to encourage every parish in the country to mark the day.

In his letter to parishes, Pax Christi President Bishop Malcolm McMahon said: "Pope Francis invites us to challenge the globalization of indifference, to work through all parts of society, finance, civil society, politics, research, development, public and cultural institutions to combat the ''throwaway culture". Instead we are called to promote a 'culture of encounter' to build a more just and peaceful world."

Pax Christi report a good up-take of additional prayer cards and resources with news of parishes creating exhibitions, providing information stalls, offering children's liturgies to promote the Pope's message and the work of Pax Christi.

Pat Gaffney, General Secretary of Pax Christi said: "the Pope's message is a real spur in this year which begins the commemoration of the First World War and the obligation this carries to work for peace and prevent future wars." In his message Pope Francis said: "I appeal forcefully to all those who sow violence and death by force of arms: in
the person you today see simply as an enemy to be beaten, discover rather your brother or sister, hold back you hand!... I make my own the appeal for the non-proliferation of arms and for disarmament of all parties, beginning with nuclear and chemical weapons disarmament."

Pax Christi relies on the generosity of parishes through special collections taken on Peace Sunday.

Liturgy and resource materials can be found here: http://bit.ly/1d5HMG2